Self-scanning system with enhanced features

ABSTRACT

A self-scanning system including a mobile personal shopping terminal having enhanced features. A bar code scanner coupled to the terminal is disabled for a period of time after a scanning activity to prevent the inadvertent scanning of the same item two or multiple times. The time period varies based on the user&#39;s profile information. When a single item is nonetheless scanned two or more times, the terminal notifies the user of this fact. Usage of the terminal is also monitored to detect a user that has trouble finding an item within the retail facility. A store clerk may approach such a user and volunteer assistance. Furthermore, kiosk functions are incorporated into the terminal for providing the user information and business opportunities with the retail store. For example, the retail store may allow the user to purchase an audio piece that is being broadcast at the store using the terminal. The terminal may also be used to purchase recycled/used items that are placed for sale by individuals through the retail store.

This application is related in subject matter to the subject matterdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,206, the content of which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to electronic shopping systems, andmore particularly, to an electronic shopping system aimed to provide anenhanced shopping experience at a retail facility.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Contemporary retail stores compete fiercely to attract new customers totheir stores and maintain the store loyalty of their present customers.One mode of attraction is by offering a personalized service which isadapted to meet the particular expectations and needs of each member ofa highly diversified clientele. Another mode of attraction is to providesome form of computerization or electronic technology, such asself-scanning systems or POS (point-of-sale) systems, to speed andfacilitate the shopping experience.

The existing systems and programs designed to provide the personalizedservice and shopping facilitation, however, leave a lot to be desired.For instance, although self-scanning systems exist to aid customers tospeed the checkout process, a customer may inadvertently scan the sameitem two or multiple times due to his or her inexperience with theutilization of the system, resulting in the customer having to pay forthe same item as many times as the item was scanned. Furthermore,existing self-scanning and POS systems do not aid the actual shoppingprocess. A customer may still continue to spend a considerable amount oftime trying to locate the items that need to be purchased. Furthermore,current electronic shopping systems do not aid a customer in takingadvantage of all the services available to the customer through theretail store. Accordingly, there is a need for an electronic shoppingsystem that will provide to a customer an enhanced shopping experiencewhile at a retail facility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment, the present invention is directed to amobile shopping terminal that includes a control unit and a scannercoupled to the control unit. The control unit retrieves profileinformation associated with a user, identifies a time period based onthe profile information, detects a first scanning activity by thescanner, and disables the scanner for the identified time period inresponse to detecting the first scanning activity prior to enabling asecond scanning activity.

According to another embodiment, the present invention is directed to astore server for use in a retail facility where the store serverincludes means for recording an activity of a mobile shopping terminalused by a user, a processing unit coupled to the means for recording,the processing unit configured to analyze the activity and determinewhether assistance should be provided to the user based on the analyzedactivity, and a means for transmitting user profile information to astore terminal accessible to a store clerk in response to adetermination that assistance should be provided to the user, the userprofile information including data for identifying the user to whomassistance is to be provided.

According to a further embodiment, the present invention is directed toan electronic shopping system for use in a retail facility where thesystem includes a store computer maintaining information on an item forsale by a seller and a mobile shopping terminal coupled to the storecomputer, the mobile shopping terminal including a scanner forself-scanning of items desired for purchase by a user. The storecomputer transmits information on the item for sale by the seller to themobile shopping terminal and the mobile shopping terminal displays theinformation on a display. Upon an indication by the user to purchase thedisplayed item, the mobile shopping terminal inserts the item into alist of items that have been self-scanned by the user and the storecomputer notifies the seller of the sale.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the electronic shopping systemincludes a store computer maintaining information on a plurality ofaudio pieces, a broadcast system broadcasting an audio piece selected bythe store computer, and a mobile shopping terminal. The mobile shoppingterminal includes a scanner for self-scanning of items desired forpurchase by a user, means for receiving from the store computerinformation on the audio piece broadcast by the broadcast system, a userinput receiving a user command to purchase the broadcast audio piece,and a control unit inserting the audio piece into a list of items thathave been self-scanned by the user in response to the user command.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention is directed to acomputer-implemented method for controlling the use of a scanner coupledto a mobile shopping terminal. The method includes retrieving profileinformation associated with a user of the scanner, identifying a timeperiod based on the profile information, detecting a first scanningactivity by the scanner, and disabling the scanner for the identifiedtime period in response to detecting the first scanning activity priorto enabling a second scanning activity.

In another embodiment, aid is provided to a user of a mobile shoppingterminal coupled to a scanner by recording an activity of the mobileshopping terminal, analyzing the activity by a processing unit,determining whether assistance should be provided to the user based onthe analyzed activity, and transmitting user profile information to astore terminal accessible to a store clerk in response to adetermination that assistance should be provided to the user, the userprofile information including data for identifying the user to whomassistance is to be provided.

In another embodiment, a method for electronic shopping via a mobileshopping terminal includes displaying on the display a list of itemsthat have been self-scanned by the user using the scanner, receivinginformation on the item submitted for sale by the seller, displaying theinformation on the display, receiving a user indication to purchase thedisplayed item; and in response to the user indication, inserting theitem into the list of items that have been self-scanned by the user andnotifying the seller of the sale.

In a further embodiment, a method for electronic shopping via a mobileshopping terminal includes broadcasting via the broadcast system anaudio piece selected by the store computer, receiving from the storecomputer information on the audio piece broadcast by the broadcastsystem, displaying the information on the display, displaying on thedisplay a list of items that have been self-scanned by the user usingthe scanner, receiving a user command to purchase the broadcast audiopiece, and inserting the audio piece into the list of items that havebeen self-scanned by the user in response to the user command.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will be more fully understood when considered with respect tothe following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanyingdrawings. Of course, the actual scope of the invention is defined by theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exemplary simplified semi-schematic block diagram of anelectronic personal shopping system according to one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a semi-schematic block diagram of a mobile personal shoppingterminal in the electronic personal shopping system of FIG. 1 accordingto one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an exemplary process for helping to preventinadvertent duplicate scans with the mobile personal shopping terminalaccording to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a process for alerting a customer of aduplicate scan according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary shopping route that is detected by a networkserver in the electronic personal shopping system of FIG. 1, accordingto one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6A is a flow diagram of a process for identifying and providingassistance to shoppers detected by the network server of FIG. 5 aspotentially needing such assistance according to one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 6B is a flow diagram of a process for identifying and providingassistance to shoppers detected by the network server of FIG. 5 aspotentially needing such assistance according to another embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic layout diagram of a graphical user interface thatallows a customer to access various services provided by a retailer viathe mobile personal shopping terminal of FIG. 2 according to oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic layout diagram of a display for recycling shoppingaccording to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a process for providing a recycling shoppingfeature via the mobile personal shopping terminal of FIG. 2 according toone embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic layout diagram of a graphical user interfaceprovided by the mobile personal shopping terminal of FIG. 2 for allowingthe purchase of a currently broadcast audio piece according to oneembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is an exemplary simplified semi-schematic block diagram of anelectronic personal shopping system according to one embodiment of thepresent invention. The system includes a customer operated, movable ormobile personal shopping terminals 10 electronically connected to anetwork server or store platform computer system 12 via a network signalbus 14, that is configured to support and operate as a local areanetwork (LAN). The local area network may support a LAN communicationmedium, such as Ethernet or Token Ring. The Ethernet LAN communicationmedium is not limited to 10 megabit Ethernet, but may include othervariants, such as Past Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet,and wireless Ethernet. In the illustrated embodiment, the network server12 communicates with the mobile personal shopping terminal 10 via thenetwork signal bus 14 by accessing the appropriate terminal addressalong the local area network's communication backbone, according toconventional mechanisms. In addition, the network server 12 communicateswith the mobile personal shopping terminal 10 in a wireless manner viaRF signals.

According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the network signalbus 14 is also able to host and support bi-directional communicationbetween the network server 12 and point-of-sale (POS) terminals 16, suchas would normally be provided at customer check-out lanes. In contrastto mobile personal shopping terminals 10 that are operated by customers(shoppers), POS terminals 16 are normally operated by store personnel ina conventional fashion. POS terminals are typically computer-based,microprocessor operated sales terminals that sense, identify andregister items being purchased by scanning an item's barcode with abarcode scanner 18. As each item is scanned, the item's SKU number, itemdescription and the item price are displayed on an integral displayscreen 20 for easy and convenient viewing and verification by thescanning clerk and the customer. A keyboard or keypad (neither of whichare shown) is also typically provided in order that the scanning clerkmight manually enter the SKU number of an item which is unable to haveits barcode read for any reason. Point-of-sale terminals furtherconventionally include a receipt printer 22 and a cash drawer (notshown). With the advent of credit cards, ATM cards, shopping club cards,and the like, modern POS terminals are further conventionally providedwith magnetic-stripe-reader (MSR) devices 23, PINPADs, automaticcoin-changers, and other similar optionally provided convenienceappliances. Point-of-sale terminals 16 are coupled to the store'snetwork server 12 through a suitable interface to the network signal bus14.

Provision is made in the exemplary system configuration of FIG. 1, forcoupling additional terminal types to the network signal bus 14 suchthat they might interface with the store network server 12. Theseadditional terminal types, identified generally at 24, may include selfcheckout terminals, store PC-based work stations, kiosk terminals, andthe like. These additional terminals 24 are all configured to include atleast a display screen 26, some form of I/O device 28, such as akeyboard, keypad, and the like, and a barcode scanner 30 for scanning amerchandise item's UPC number and affecting purchase transactions.

In accordance with the exemplary system configuration of FIG. 1, thenetwork server 12 (or alternatively a store host platform computer)includes a mass storage device 32, such as a hard disk drive, or drivearray, which hosts a number of purpose-built databases and files usefulfor implementation of the system of the present invention. Particularsuch databases and files include a Price Look-up File (PLU), atransaction log file, an advertisement database, a news database, arecycled/used goods database, an auction database, a music database, anda customer database with demographic, personal preference, personalprofile and other information specific to each customer. In the casewhere the mass storage unit 32 is configured to include a customerdatabase, it should be noted that each particular customer's data recordis identified by and associated with a unique customer identificationnumber, termed a customer ID. Each customer's ID number is hosted on acustomer ID card which, when presented, identifies that customer andenables either a clerk-operated POS terminal or a customer operatedmobile personal shopping terminal to access that customer's data recordfrom the network server's mass storage unit 32.

FIG. 2 is a semi-schematic block diagram of the mobile personal shoppingterminal 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. The personalshopping mobile terminal 10 may be configured as a hand-held apparatus,easily carried by a typical shopper, or may be mounted on or affixed tothe handle portion of a shopping cart (not shown) of the type furnishedshoppers for use in a typical retail facility.

The terminal 10 suitably includes a display screen 50 that may take theform of a VGA or SVGA liquid-crystal-display (LCD) screen, an LEDdisplay screen, or any other suitable display apparatus conventional inthe art. Pressure sensitive (touch screen) technology may beincorporated into the display 50 so that a shopper may access the mobileterminal 10 by merely touching certain portions of the screen. Inaddition, a numeric or alpha-numeric button or keypad arrangement may beprovided in combination with the display 50 in order to define an inputdevice 52.

The mobile personal shopping terminal 10 further includes a barcodereader or scanner device 54 that is conventionally configured to scan anitem's universal product code (UPC) provided either on a product itselfor in a convenient location proximate to the product. The display 50 andbar code scanner 54 are coupled to a microprocessor based control unit56, operating under firmware or software program control, for performingany needed processing functions and for controlling operation of thedisplay 50 and the bar code scanner 54.

A scanning interval timer 58 is further coupled to the control unit 56to control the scanning interval of the bar code scanner 54. For eachscanning action, the bar code scanner is disabled for the period of timemeasured by the timer before enabling a next scanning action. This helpsprevent a customer from inadvertently scanning the same item two ormultiple times. According to one embodiment of the invention, the timer58 is a programmable timer integrated into the scanner 54.

A local storage apparatus 60 is further and optionally coupled to thecontrol unit 56 and provides a local memory storage area for holdingvarious data and tables until such time as the data is required forprocessing by the control unit. The local storage 60 may suitablycomprise a small form factor hard disk drive, a PCMCIA programmablememory card, a high-capacity flexible media cartridge and floppy drivecombination, an array of FROM (Flash ROM), SRAM or DRAM memory chips, orthe like.

In addition, the control unit 56 may be coupled to a printer 72 forprinting any information stored in the local storage apparatus ordisplayed on the display.

Communication between the mobile personal shopping terminal 10 and anexternal information source terminal such as the store network server 12may be implemented in a wired manner via the network signal bus 14, orin a wireless manner via a wireless communication transceiver 62 that isconfigured to transmit and receive RF signals between the control unit56 and a similar transceiver hosted by the store network server. Thewireless communication transceiver 62 suitably includes transmitter 64and receiver 66 circuits coupled to an RF antenna 68 for effectuatingthe wireless communication.

It should be recognized by those having skill in the art, that awireless transceiver need not be directly affixed to the network server12. Rather, a plurality of RF transceivers may be located at periodicintervals throughout the retail facility and connected to the serverthrough a local-area-network (LAN) array configuration, an arbitratedloop, or any other of a variety of conventional client-servertopologies. Alternatively, communication between the network server 12and a distributed array of RF transceivers may be accomplished, forexample, by time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency divisionmultiple access (FDMA), or any other suitable method which avoidsinterference while communicating with multiple transceiver units. In anyof the foregoing configurations, it should be evident to one havingskill in the art that the mobile personal shopping terminal 10 will becapable of communicating with a retail facility's core server,regardless of the location of a shopper using the terminal andregardless of the size of the retail facility.

An additional I/O device is provided on the mobile personal shoppingterminal 10 in the form of an IC card interface unit 70, configured toread information from and write information to an IC, or smart card. TheIC card and card interface unit 70, in combination, provide a suitablemechanism for a customer to transport pertinent data to and from aretail facility and exchange that pertinent data with the facilitythrough use of the mobile personal shopping terminal 10. While referredto as an IC card, the card is a personal memory card or data card whichlooks and feels much like an ordinary credit card. The IC card may beeither contact based or contactless. The simplest contact-type cardmight be a magnetic tape storage stripe affixed in a particular locationon its reverse side. Alternatively, a contact or contactless IC card mayinclude a microprocessor, an electrically erasable field-programmableread-only memory (EEPROM), a Flash ROM (FROM) and, optionally, circuitryfor inductively receiving an RF power signal. In addition, the IC cardis capable of capacitively transferring data signals between the cardand the IC card interface unit 70 and may be interrogated, programmed orreprogrammed by read/write circuitry included in the card interface 70.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the IC card stores andmaintains a purchase transaction history of self-scanned items inreal-time, making a customer's transaction data available to the storeduring checkout. A customer's most recent transaction data may be usedto compute loyalty or incentive points based on a running total of aparticular customer's purchases, allocation of in-store promotionalcoupons, and the like.

Payment, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, isperformed either through the mobile personal shopping terminal 10 or byclerk-assisted payment at a check out counter or POS terminal 16. Evenif the clerk-assisted payment option is chosen by a customer, thecheckout procedure is made efficient because all item scanning hasalready been performed and the customer's shopping transaction data isreadily available at the payment terminal by merely scanning theappropriate customer ID card.

I. Self Scanning Assistance

According to one embodiment of the invention, the mobile personalshopping terminal 10 assists customers during the self-scanning processby helping to prevent the inadvertent scanning of the same item two ormultiple times. When a single item is nonetheless scanned two or moretimes, the mobile personal shopping terminal 10 notifies the customer ofthis fact, allowing the customer to correct any mistakes that may havebeen made during the scanning process.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the mobile personalshopping terminal 10 helps to prevent the inadvertent scanning of thesame item two or more times by disabling the bar code scanner 54 duringscanning intervals for a pre-determined period of time. The time periodmay be set for each customer based on the customer's personal profiledata. Such profile data may include a history of the customer'sself-scanning experience as well as other pertinent profile informationsuch as age, education, and the like.

For example, the history of the customer's self-scanning experience mayinclude a history of duplicative scans that are recorded during atransaction that are subsequently deleted by the customer. Theself-scanning experience information may also include the number oftimes that the customer has used the mobile personal shopping terminal10. This information may be used as an indication of the level ofexperience of the customer with the terminal 10. The scanning timeinterval may be calculated based on the level of experience of thecustomer via a formula that sets the interval for a customer with a lowlevel of experience to be higher than the interval for a user with ahigh level of experience. The calculated scanning time intervalinformation and or level of experience may then be stored in thecustomer's profile data. The customer may also manually set the scanningtime interval using the user's input device 52.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an exemplary process for helping to preventinadvertent duplicate scans according to one embodiment of theinvention. The process starts, and in step 100, the customer profiledata is provided to the control unit 56. The profile data may beobtained from the customer's IC card via the IC card interface unit 70and then provided to the control unit. The profile data may also beobtained from the customer database in the network server's mass storageunit 32 based on ID information that is either typed-in by the customerusing the input device 52 or obtained from the IC card.

If the loaded customer profile data includes the time period for settingthe scanning interval timer 58, the control unit sets the scanninginterval timer according to the loaded profile data in step 102. If theloaded customer profile data only includes the customer'sscanning-history and other data that may be used to calculate the timeperiod, the control unit 56 invokes an algorithm for calculating thetime period and sets the scanning interval timer accordingly.

In step 104, the control unit 56 enables the bar code scanner 54. Instep 106, the control unit 56 determines if the customer has finishedshopping. This may be verified, for instance, upon a user selection of a“checkout” button on the mobile personal shopping terminal.

If the customer is not finished shopping, the customer uses the bar codescanner 54 in step 108 to read a bar code of an item to be purchased.Upon the detection of the scanning activity, the control unit 52transmits a disable signal to the bar code scanner 54 for disabling thebar code scanner from further scans in step 110. At about the same time,the control unit 52 transmits a signal to the scanning interval timer 58to allow the timer to run. In step 112, a determination is made as towhether the time in which the bar code scanner is to be disabled is up.If the answer is YES, the scanning interval timer 58 is reset, and thescanner is enabled for another scanning activity.

According to the embodiment where the timer 58 is a programmable timerintegrated into the scanner, a person skilled in the art shouldrecognize that steps 102 to 112 may be replaced and/or include a stepthat transmits a “set interval timer” command to the bar code scanner toset or reset the programmable timer.

Regardless of the embodiment being used, the personalized control of thetiming of the scanner allows a person with less experience withself-scanning systems to be less subject to the inadvertent scanning ofthe same item two or more times.

According to one embodiment, if a single item is nonetheless scanned onmultiple occasions, the mobile personal shopping terminal 10 notifiesthe customer of such duplicative scans. According to one embodiment ofthe invention, the display screen 50 of the terminal 10 displays atransaction log with information on each scanned item. Upon thedetection of an item that has been scanned before, either consecutivelyor non-consecutively, the control unit 56 causes the display screen todisplay the duplicative entry or entries for the item in a visuallydistinguished manner. For example, the entries may be highlighted,displayed in a color that is different than the other entries, displayedin a blinking or flashing manner, or the like. The duplicative entry orentries are similarly visually distinguished when the transaction log isprinted using the printer 72 or 23. In this manner, the customer mayquickly identify the duplicative scans from the display screen orprinted receipt, and take corrective measures if a mistake has been madeprior to the payment of the scanned items. Such corrective measures mayinclude deleting the duplicative item from the list.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a process for alerting a customer of aduplicate scan according to one embodiment of the invention. The processstarts, and in step 200, the customer scans a product during a currentshopping excursion. In step 202, the control unit 56 receives a UPC codeof the scanned product and in step 204, retrieves information associatedwith the product from the network server's mass storage unit 32. In thisregard, the control unit 56 forwards all or a portion of the code to thenetwork server 12. The network server 12 invokes a search and retrievalsubroutine which enters the server's mass storage unit 32 and searches aPLU table for the scanned item's code. Once a match is made, the networkserver 12 transmits the information contained in the PLU table to themobile personal shopping terminal 10.

In step 206, the control unit 56 determines whether the UPC code hasbeen scanned before. The control unit may do this, for example, bysearching a list of UPC codes that have been scanned so far, anddetermining whether the currently scanned UPC code exists in the list.If the UPC code does not appear in the list, the item has not beenscanned before, and the code of the item is stored in the list ofscanned codes in step 210. In step 212, the retrieved productinformation is displayed on the display screen 50 in a conventionalmanner.

Otherwise, if the UPC code appears in the list of scanned codes, thecontrol unit signals the display screen to display the productinformation in a visually distinguished manner in step 208.

In step 214, a determination is made as to whether the customer hasindicated that he or she is finished shopping. The user may do so byselecting, for instance, a checkout button on the display screen 50. Ifthe answer is YES, the list is forwarded to a payment process ortransferred to a POS terminal in step 216 to process the payment of thescanned items and the list of scanned codes is deleted in step 218,allowing a new list to be created for a next shopping transaction.

II. Improved Shopper Assistance

According to one embodiment of the invention, assistance is provided toa user of the mobile personal shopping terminal 10 who may have troublefinding a particular item within the retail facility. If such a personis identified, a store clerk may approach the user and volunteerassistance, or a message may be displayed on the display screen 50 ofthe mobile personal shopping terminal 10 asking if the user needsassistance. Such a personalized service helps create bigger customersatisfaction and maintain the loyalty of existing customers as well asattract new customers to the retail facility.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the network server 12monitors the use of each mobile personal shopping terminal 10 during acurrent shopping transaction. The network server 12 collects andanalyzes information on when and where the mobile personal shoppingterminal 10 was used. For example, the network server 12 may monitor thelocation of scanned items and map a route of the customer based on thisinformation. The network server 12 may also collect and analyzeinformation on the amount of time elapsed between scans without anyactivity from the mobile terminal. The longer the time elapsed withoutany other type of activity, the more likely that the customer is notfinding an item that he or she is looking for.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary shopping route that is detected by the networkserver 12 based on the scanning activities of a user of the mobilepersonal shopping terminal 10. Each location where a scanning activityoccurred is marked with a reference numeral 300 that indicates when theactivity occurred in comparison to a previous activity. By analyzingthis shopping route, the network server 12 may detect that the customeris walking around in an ineffective route, possibly because the customeris having trouble finding certain items in the store, and alert a storeclerk to provide assistance to the customer. The network server 12 mayalternatively first inquire from the customer whether such assistance isdesired. A store clerk is dispatched to the customer if the customerindicates that assistance is desired.

If a store clerk is to be dispatched, the network server 12 transmitsinformation to a store clerk's handheld terminal (not shown) or storeterminal 24 as to the possible location of the shopper and a descriptionof the shopper. The description may include a photograph of the shopperretrieved from the customer database and/or identifying characteristicsof the shopper such as, for example, the customer's eye color, haircolor, height, weight, age, gender, and the like. This allows the storeclerk to easily locate a customer who may be in need of the assistance.The store clerk responding to the call may transmit a message via thehandheld terminal or store terminal that the call is being handled andinform the other store clerks of this fact to avoid duplicate responsesto the same call.

FIG. 6A is a flow diagram of a process for identifying and providingassistance to shoppers detected by the network server 12 as potentiallyneeding such assistance according to one embodiment of the invention.The process starts, and in step 300, a processing unit within thenetwork server 12 records a scan activity by a particular customer usingthe bar code scanner 54. In step 302, the processing unit retrieveslocation information of the scanned product from the PLU database storedin the mass storage unit 32. According to one embodiment of theinvention, the location information includes an aisle number. In step304, the processing unit sets the aisle number of the scanned item asthe current aisle.

In step 306, the processing unit records a next scan activity. In step310, the processing unit retrieves the location information of thescanned product including the aisle where the product is located. Insteps 312-316, a determination is made as to whether customer assistanceshould be provided based on this recent scanning activity. In thisregard, in step 312, a determination is made as to whether the aisle ofthe scanned product (the scanned aisle) corresponds to the currentaisle. If the answer is NO, a determination is made in step 314 as towhether the scanned aisle corresponds to a previous aisle. If thescanned aisle corresponds to a previous aisle, an assumption is madethat the customer is roaming the store and taking an ineffectivescanning route, and the processing unit, in step 318 proceeds todispatch a store clerk or display a message on the customer's terminal10 for providing assistance.

If the store clerk is to be dispatched, the processing unit retrievesthe customer's identification information from the customer database,and transmits this information along with the last scanned aisle number,to the store clerk's handheld terminal or store terminal 24.

If the customer is to be inquired about the need for assistance, theprocessing unit transmits to the customer's mobile personal shoppingterminal 10 a message to this effect. The customer may select a YES keyon the terminal to accept the offer for assistance. The store clerk isdispatched to the customer upon the selection of such a YES key.

Referring again to steps 312 and 314, if the scanned aisle does notcorrespond to either the current aisle or any of the previous aisles,then the customer has moved to a new aisle. Thus, in step 316, theprocessing unit moves the aisle that is stored as the current aisle intothe previous aisle list, and sets the new scanned aisle as the currentaisle. The process then returns to step 306 to record the next scanactivity.

FIG. 6B is a flow diagram of a process for identifying and providingassistance to shoppers detected by the network server of FIG. 5 aspotentially needing such assistance according to another embodiment ofthe invention. According to this process, an activity by the mobilepersonal shopping terminal 10 is detected in step 350 and a timer iseither started or re-started in step 352. The timer may be similar tothe scanning interval timer 58 of FIG. 1. The terminal activity may be ascanning activity, or any other activity performed using the mobilepersonal shopping terminal 10, such as accessing service provided by thenetwork server 12 via the terminal.

If a terminal activity is not detected in step 354, a determination ismade as to whether the timer has timed-out. This determination may bemade by comparing the timer with a set threshold time, and determiningif the timer has exceeded the threshold time. If the timer has timed-outwithout a terminal activity, an assumption is made that the customer maybe in need of assistance. Thus, the network server 12, in step 356,proceeds to dispatch a store clerk or display a message on thecustomer's terminal 10 for providing the assistance to the customer.

III. Mobile Kiosk Features

According to one embodiment of the invention, kiosk functions areincorporated into the mobile personal shopping terminal 10 for providingto the shopper more information and more business opportunities with theretail store. According to one embodiment of the invention, the mobilepersonal shopping terminal 10 provides to the customer various servicesthat the customer may take advantage of while shopping in the store.Such services include, but are not limited to access to the retailer'swebsite or another site hosted by the network server 12, access toadvertisement clips and coupons of products sold by the retailer, accessto community information and news, and access to recycling shopping andin-store auctions. By providing such services via the mobile personalshopping terminal 10 in addition to the traditional services, a retailermay keep existing customers and attract new customers to its site.

FIG. 7 is a schematic layout diagram of a graphical user interface thatallows a customer to access various services provided by the retailervia the mobile personal shopping terminal 10 according to one embodimentof the invention. Selection of button 400 allows the customer to accessthe retailer's website for browsing the site while shopping at thephysical store. According to one embodiment of the invention, thecustomer may interact with the website via the mobile terminal 10 as heor she would from home via a personal computer or the like.

Selection of button 402 causes the retrieval of an advertisement fromthe advertisement database in the mass storage device 32. Theadvertisement may include video, text, and/or graphics of a product orservice that is being advertised. The advertisement may allow thecustomer to retrieve a coupon associated with the advertised product orservice, and print it using the printer 72 for redeeming at the store.

Selection of button 404 allows the customer to view information and newsassociated with a particular community. Such information is retrievedfrom the news database of the mass storage device 32 and displayed tothe customer in the form of video, text, and/or graphics.

Selection of button 406 allows the customer to invoke a recyclingshopping feature where the customer may buy and sell recycled, used,and/or repaired goods using the retailer as the intermediary. Itemsplaced for rent may also be viewed via the recycling shopping feature.

A seller may select the recycling shopping feature to post informationabout an item that he or she wishes to sell or rent. Such informationmay include a product description and a suggested selling/rental price.The information is transmitted to the network server for storing in therecycled goods database of the mass storage device 32.

A buyer may select the recycling shopping feature to view items in therecycled goods database. If the customer is interested in a particularitem, the customer may select on the item and retrieve a more detailedinformation about the item. The information may be provided in the formof video, text, and/or graphics. The customer may also purchase/rent theitem being viewed using the mobile personal shopping terminal 10.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the retailer receives anintermediation fee from the seller upon the sale/rental of the product.The retailer may also provide for pickup and delivery services usingtheir existing logistics capability, upon the payment of a fee.According to one embodiment of the invention, dates for delivery and/orpickup are scheduled via the mobile personal shopping terminal 10. Anyfees associated with the sale or purchase of a recycled item are addedto the total of a current purchase transaction and paid by the customerduring checkout.

Selection of button 408 causes the customer to invoke an in-storeauction service. Similar to the recycling shopping feature, the in-storeauction service allows sellers and buyers to conveniently sell andpurchase goods using the retailer's existing infrastructure andcapabilities. However, unlike the recycling shopping feature where a setprice is given for a particular item or service, the items and serviceslisted for the in-store auction service are auctioned off to a highestor lowest bidder, as the situation may be. The actual bidding of theitems/services may be done using the mobile personal shopping terminal10 while the customer is shopping in the store.

FIG. 8 is a schematic layout diagram of a display for recycling shoppingaccording to one embodiment of the invention. An item number 498indicates the ID number of the item that is being offered for sale. Awritten description of the item is provided in a description field 500of the display. Along with a written description, the display screen 50may also display a picture 514 of the item that is being sold. Inaddition, the description of the item may be provided in an audio orvideo recording upon the selection of the appropriate buttons 510.

Other information provided for the item may include the condition 502 ofthe item that is being sold as well as the original price 504 of theitem. A selling price 506 that is requested by the seller is alsodisplayed on the display screen 50. If a buyer wants to purchase theitem that is displayed, he or she selects a buy option 508 on the mobilepersonal shopping terminal 10. According to one embodiment of theinvention, selection of the buy option 508 causes the item to beincluded into a list of items 512 that have been self-scanned by thecustomer using the mobile terminal 10 during a current shoppingtransaction. Payment for the item may then be made during checkout whilepaying for the self-scanned items.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a process for providing the recyclingshopping feature according to one embodiment of the invention. Theprocess starts, and the network server 12 receives from a seller'smobile terminal, information on a recycled item to be offered for sale.The information may include a description of the item as well as a salesprice of the item. In step 522, the network server 12 stores theinformation in the recycled goods database of the mass storage device,along with the appropriate seller information. The seller informationmay be obtained from the customer database maintained by the networkserver 12 or from an IC card provided by the seller.

In step 524, the network server 12 receives from a buyer's mobileterminal, a request to display information on the recycled good that hasbeen placed for sale by the seller. In step 526, the information isdisplayed on the buyer's mobile terminal. In step 528, the buyer'smobile terminal receives the buyer's request to purchase the item. Thisoccurs, for example, upon the buyer's selection of the purchase option508 from the display screen 50. In step 530, the total cost of therecycled item is calculated by either the network server's processingunit or the mobile terminal's control unit 56. In doing so, anyshipping, handling, and/or delivery fees appropriate for the item arecalculated in addition to the actual sales price of the item.

In step 532, a description of the recycled item is inserted into thelist of purchase items 512 that have been self-scanned by the buyer forpurchase along with the item's sales price and any shipping, handlingfee, and/or delivery fee associated with the item. In step 534, adetermination is made as to whether the buyer has indicated that he/shehas finished shopping, such as, for example, by selecting a checkoutoption on the mobile terminal and making a payment of the purchaseditems. If the answer is YES, the network server 12 calculates any salesfee to be accessed to the seller. This may be, for example, a percentageof the listed sales price of the item. The network server 12 thennotifies the seller of the sale of the recycled item along with thesales fee assessed. The notification may be via e-mail or any othercommunication mechanism conventional in the art. In step 542, thenetwork server 12 proceeds to remove the record for the sold item fromthe recycled goods database.

According to one embodiment of the invention, another service providedby the retailer is the ability for a customer to purchase an audio piecethat is currently being broadcast at the store using the mobile personalshopping terminal 10 As an audio piece is being broadcast via thestore's broadcast system, information on the audio piece is displayed onthe terminal's display screen 50. The customer is given the option topurchase the audio piece using the mobile terminal 10 as the audio pieceis being broadcast.

FIG. 10 is a schematic layout diagram of a graphical user interfaceprovided by the display screen 50 of the mobile personal shoppingterminal 10 for allowing the purchase of a currently broadcast audiopiece according to one embodiment of the invention. The network server12 maintains in a music database information on audio pieces that areavailable for sale as well as the actual media file for such audiopieces.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the network serverretrieves from the music database an audio piece to be broadcast by thestore's broadcast system. Such a broadcast system is coupled to thenetwork server 12 and includes all components that are conventional inthe art that are needed for the broadcast.

Upon the broadcast of the selected audio piece, the network server 12transmits information about the audio piece to all the mobile terminalsthat are currently in use. Such information may include the singer 600,title 602, and sales price 604 of the audio piece that is beingbroadcast. According to one embodiment of the invention, the selectionof a buy option 606 on the display screen 50 allows the customer topurchase the broadcast audio piece. Upon the selection of such a buyoption, purchase information on the audio piece is included into a listof purchase items 608 that have been scanned by the customer using themobile terminal 10 while shopping at the store. Payment for the audiopiece may then be made during checkout while paying for the self-scanneditems.

The retailer may transmit the audio file corresponding to the purchasedaudio piece to the customer's e-mail address after completion of thepurchase transaction. Alternatively, the audio file may be downloaded tothe local storage 60 of the mobile personal shopping terminal 10 or thecustomer's IC card, during or prior to checkout.

Although this invention has been described in certain specificembodiments, those skilled in the art will have no difficulty devisingvariations to the described embodiment which in no way depart from thescope and spirit of the present invention. Moreover, to those skilled inthe various arts, the invention itself herein will suggest solutions toother tasks and adaptations for other applications. It is the applicantsintention to cover by claims all such uses of the invention and thosechanges and modifications which could be made to the embodiments of theinvention herein chosen for the purpose of disclosure without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the presentembodiments of the invention should be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention to beindicated by the appended claims and their equivalents rather than theforegoing description.

1. A mobile shopping terminal comprising: a control unit; and a scannercoupled to the control unit, characterized in that the control unitretrieves profile information associated with a user, identifies a timeperiod based on the profile information, detects a first scanningactivity by the scanner, and disables the scanner for the identifiedtime period in response to detecting the first scanning activity priorto enabling a second scanning activity.
 2. The mobile shopping terminalof claim 1 further comprising a display for displaying a list ofself-scanned items, wherein a duplicative item on the list is visuallydistinguished from other items on the list.
 3. The mobile shoppingterminal of claim 1, wherein the profile information includesinformation on the user's self-scanning experience.
 4. The mobileshopping terminal of claim 3, wherein the time interval decreases withincrease in the user's self-scanning experience.
 5. A store server foruse in a retail facility, the store server comprising: means forrecording an activity of a mobile shopping terminal used by a user; aprocessing unit coupled to the means for recording, the processing unitconfigured to analyze the activity and determine whether assistanceshould be provided to the user based on the analyzed activity; and ameans for transmitting user profile information to a store terminalaccessible to a store clerk in response to a determination thatassistance should be provided to the user, the user profile informationincluding data for identifying the user to whom assistance is to beprovided.
 6. The store server of claim 5, wherein the activity is ascanning activity conducted with a scanner coupled to the mobileshopping terminal.
 7. The store server of claim 5, wherein theprocessing unit is configured to analyze a time period associated withthe activity.
 8. The store server of claim 5, wherein the processingunit is configured to analyze a location associated with the activity.9. The store server of claim 5 further comprising means for transmittinga message for display on the mobile shopping terminal, the messageinquiring whether assistance is desired by the user.
 10. The storeserver of claim 5 further comprising means for transmitting to the storeterminal location information associated with the user.
 11. The storeserver of claim 5, wherein the processing unit is configured todetermine a shopping route based on the activity.
 12. The store serverof claim 11, wherein the processing unit determines that assistanceshould be provided to the user if the shopping route is determined to bean ineffective shopping route.
 13. In an electronic shopping system foruse in a retail facility, the electronic shopping system comprising: astore computer maintaining information on a plurality of audio pieces; abroadcast system broadcasting an audio piece selected by the storecomputer; and a mobile shopping terminal including: a scanner forself-scanning of items desired for purchase by a user; means forreceiving from the store computer information on the audio piecebroadcast by the broadcast system; a user input receiving a user commandto purchase the broadcast audio piece; and a control unit inserting theaudio piece into a list of items that have been self-scanned by the userin response to the user command.
 14. The system of claim 13 furthercomprising means for delivering the audio piece to the user.
 15. Thesystem of claim 14 further comprising a memory unit coupled to themobile shopping terminal, wherein the means for delivering includes ameans for storing the audio piece in the memory unit.
 16. In anelectronic shopping system including a mobile shopping terminal coupledto a scanner, a computer-implemented method for controlling use of thescanner by a user, the method comprising: retrieving profile informationassociated with the user; identifying a time period based on the profileinformation; detecting a first scanning activity by the scanner; anddisabling the scanner for the identified time period in response todetecting the first scanning activity prior to enabling a secondscanning activity.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the profileinformation includes information on the user's self-scanning experience.18. The method of claim 16, wherein the time interval decreases withincrease in the user's self-scanning experience.
 19. Acomputer-implemented method for providing aid to a user of a mobileshopping terminal coupled to a scanner, the method comprising: recordingan activity of the mobile shopping terminal; analyzing the activity by aprocessing unit; determining whether assistance should be provided tothe user based on the analyzed activity; and transmitting user profileinformation to a store terminal accessible to a store clerk in responseto a determination that assistance should be provided to the user, theuser profile information including data for identifying the user to whomassistance is to be provided.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein theactivity is a scanning activity conducted with the scanner.
 21. In anelectronic shopping system having a store computer coupled to a databaseand a broadcast system, and a mobile shopping terminal accessible to auser, the database storing information associated with a plurality ofaudio pieces and the mobile shopping terminal being coupled to a scannerand a display, a method for electronic shopping via the mobile shoppingterminal, the method comprising: broadcasting via the broadcast systeman audio piece selected by the store computer; receiving from the storecomputer information on the audio piece broadcast by the broadcastsystem; displaying the information on the display; displaying on thedisplay a list of items that have been self-scanned by the user usingthe scanner; receiving a user command to purchase the broadcast audiopiece; and inserting the audio piece into the list of items that havebeen self-scanned by the user in response to the user command.